Billy Eichner is revealing where he stands with Colton Underwood after saying the reality star could be the “first gay Bachelor” before he came out.

“I went on The Bachelor before we knew he was gay. As I joke, I said — because we knew he was a virgin — I said, ‘You might be the first gay Bachelor and we don’t even know it.’ And then when he came out a few years later, that went very viral,” Eichner, 47, recalled on the Monday, May 4, episode of Watch What Happens Live. “But I was just joking around.”

He continued, “I actually DMed him and I said, ‘Hey, I’m sorry I put you on the spot like that. I had no idea you were gay. If I thought you were, I wouldn’t have asked you about that on national television.’ He was super cool with it.”

Eichner shared that he and Underwood, 34, have “spoken a lot” since then, noting that the pair run into each other “once in a while.”

Related: Colton Underwood Slams ‘Hateful’ Remark About His Sexuality: ‘Be Kind Today’

Colton Underwood won’t stand for hateful comments about his sexuality. Underwood, 33, took to his Instagram Story to share and reply to a hate comment from a Traitors season 4 fan. “And I really wish Colton was straight again,” the user wrote via Threads. “We, the gays, don’t want him. BYE!” Underwood responded, “What a […]

“We see each other sometimes,” Eichner said. “He’s lovely and nice to see.”

Eichner was a guest host for a group date during Underwood’s season 23 of The Bachelor in 2019, where he joked about the lead being “the first gay Bachelor.” The comment resurfaced online when Underwood opened up about his sexuality in 2021.

Eichner, for his part, previously told Us Weekly that he did not see it coming.

“I don’t really know Colton well … [but] the day he came out, you know, I tweeted my support for him,” Eichner told Us in 2021, adding that his personal journey was “very different” than what Underwood experienced.

“I truly had no idea he was gay when I shot The Bachelor,” he continued. “I don’t really watch The Bachelor. … I never suspected he was gay, but you know, I’m happy for him. Everyone is on their own journey when it comes to coming out.”

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Eichner shared that he’s rooting for Underwood as “he continues to evolve” into “a happy gay person.”

Underwood announced in February 2022 that he was engaged to Jordan C. Brown, with whom he tied the knot the following year. The couple welcomed their first baby, son Bishop, via surrogate in 2024.

“Our world is a million times better with you in it,” the pair captioned a joint Instagram post announcing Bishop’s birth.

Two parents in West Virginia have pleaded guilty after their son went to elementary school with cockroaches in his backpack, and they have since learned their fates.

Dwayne Hickman and Dorothy Hickman both pleaded guilty to one count of child neglect following their arrests, according to Law & Crime. Following their guilty pleas, they were both sentenced to serve two years of probation. Once that is completed, they will serve two years of unsupervised probation.

Additionally, Dwayne, 37, and Dorothy, 29, both received a six-month suspended jail sentence.

The couple was arrested in February after staff at Doddridge County Early Learning Academy, where Hickmans’ children are students, expressed concerns to authorities regarding the children’s well-being. Staff members claimed they found cockroaches in the son’s backpack, while their concerns grew when the couple’s daughter asked her teacher if she could wash her “very dirty” clothes.

Related: Parents Arrested After Roaches Seen ‘Crawling Over’ Baby in Infested Home

A couple has been arrested and charged after authorities allegedly found a 1-year-old baby and an elderly man living in “deplorable” conditions inside a roach-and-mold-infested Florida home. Authorities first became aware of the situation when a welfare check was called on the 81-year-old man living in at the property of Nikolas Anthony Cummings and Tashaye […]

A teacher contacted police on February 10 and said that a child had bug bites on his “face, hands, and bottom.”

Due to the boy’s condition and the girl’s request that a teacher wash her clothes, the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Office contacted Child Protective Services (CPS).

CPS officials then visited the Hickmans’ home, which they said had “extreme deplorable living conditions.” The two children were then taken out of the home and their parents lost custody. The status of their current custody arrangements are currently unknown, while authorities have also not specified their ages.

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Related: Parents Arrested After Allegedly Locking Non-Verbal Autistic Sons in Closet

The parents of two young autistic boys who are both non-verbal were arrested after police said they locked their children inside of a closet, where blood and scratches were located on the drywall, according to news reports citing court documents. Casey Farthing and Stephanie Harmer, who are both from Richmond, are facing charges including five […]

Dwayne and Dorothy were both arrested on February 12 and were charged with two counts of gross neglect of a child creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. They were taken into custody at North Central Regional Jail, where they each had individual bonds set at $20,000. Dorothy’s bond was later reduced to $10,000.

The couple initially pleaded not guilty to the charge on February 13. However, their pleas changed months later when Dorothy entered a guilty plea to one count of child neglect on April 28. Dwayne also pleaded guilty to the same charge just days later on Friday, May 1.

West Virginia law states that if a person is found guilty of child neglect that creates a risk of serious bodily injury or death, they could be sentenced to serve between one to five years in prison, according to Clarksburg-based firm La Neve Law Offices. Additionally, those found guilty of the charge can also be ordered to pay a fine of $3,000.

“Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dolores Catania appears in Bravo’s newest franchise, “Rhode Island,” as a friend of the show. As the show continues to air, many are wondering whether the “RHONJ” star will appear in the yet-to-be-filmed reunion. Based on reports, the answer is no, and now an insider is weighing in on why she wasn’t invited.

Additionally, many fans of the new show are wondering why she was cast, as she has yet to make a genuine mark with viewers. This is despite her being a fan-favorite on “RHONJ.”

A source with knowledge of the situation spoke to RealityBlurb in May 2026. Regarding why fans won’t see Catania at the “RHORI” reunion, they said, “Dolores wasn’t invited to the ‘RHORI’ reunion for a few reasons.”

The person explained, “First, she is back to filming ‘RHONJ.’ That was and is her primary show. And that obviously will be occupying her time.”

After that, the insider stated what many “RHORI” fans have expressed. According to them, “But, for as chaotic and dramatic as these women are, she wasn’t really involved in any of the drama. She was ancillary in terms of being more of a sweet background character. She didn’t need to make a name for herself as the main cast members did, and she didn’t attempt to.”

Bravo Remains Invested In Dolores Catania

The insider continued, saying Bravo didn’t feel it was necessary to include Catania. They said, “The reunion won’t be any worse for the wear without her in it, and thus, Bravo probably didn’t feel the need to bring her up for it.”

However, the person insisted that the network remains invested in the longtime “RHONJ” star. According to the insider, “But she was simply a friend of and a great bridge to get people invested in these amazing new women. While it may come off as weird to not see her as she was in the season, Bravo clearly remains invested in her as a star of the network. There wasn’t anyone else they gave another show from ‘RHONJ’ during the pause, and that clearly says something.”

Fans React To Dolores Not Being Asked To The Reunion

Following reports that Catania was not invited to the “RHORI” reunion, fans have shared their reactions online. For the most part, they feel she won’t be missed, despite their excitement for her “RHONJ” return.

One person said, “They called her a ‘Friend of’ just to appease her while the Jersey stuff was in flux, but she’s barely even been a guest star. At least Phaedra got a season out of #Married2Med.”

Someone else stated, “She was clearly there as a backup and edited out from the rest of the show once they realized how strong the cast was, plus Jersey filming again, they figured it was a win-win for everyone. Wish I saw more of her, but the ‘RI’ girls are eating just fine on their own.”

Another “RHORI” watcher said on X, “Lol, makes sense. She was less of a friend of the show and more of a guest. She really was just used to promote the show. Like she’s offered zero to the storyline as most FOHs do. I can’t even be mad because she got a lil cute check to film & literally just exist.”

Lastly, a different person wrote, “Bravo didn’t know how successful this show was going to be; they saw it, so now they discarded her. As long as she got paid, I wouldn’t give a damn.”

The ‘RHORI’ Friend Of Says Her Filming Was Limited

Catania appeared on a recent episode of the “Two Ts In a Pod” podcast. While on, she revealed that she thought she would have filmed more with the cast than she ultimately did. The 55-year-old said, “I was bitter. When I got there, they didn’t let me film as much. They kept me on the bench. I was the wellness team. I got every phone call, every scene.”

Additionally, the “RHONJ” star went on to say that even costars called out production’s decision to limit her filming. She recalled, “Liz was so upset. It didn’t even make sense for me not to be there.”

Catania added, “I could have been more of a friend and done more on the show.”

‘RHORI’ Is A Hit

According to Deadline, “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” became Bravo’s biggest new show in two years. Specifically, this is the case for multiplatform audiences, including live viewership and streaming. Per the outlet, “RHORI” drew 2.7 million viewers in the 7 days following its series premiere.

That’s not all. The episode became Bravo’s most-watched series or season premiere on Peacock within its first seven days.

“The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” airs on Sunday nights, following “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

Traveling for work or play requires some strategic thought on your clothing choices. You need to pack stylish pieces that aren’t too bulky, feel comfortable and look ready-to-wear the moment you yank them out of the carry-on. Now, this will only work if you bring along items made with quality, summer-like fabric that are designed to resist wrinkles. Yes, anti-wrinkle clothes do exist, and we found several worth traveling with.

We focused on clothing finds that are specifically crafted with wrinkle-resistant details and materials. Think smoked fabrics, stretchy spandex and polyester fabrics that don’t look cheap. Trust Us. The tops, pants and dresses on this list are ideal for work events as well as outdoor excursions, thanks to the easy-going appearances and Instagram-worthy styles. You’ll find options from top-tier brands that are loved by both shoppers and editors, like Madewell, Spanx, Athleta, Abercrombie & Fitch, Petal & Pup and more. Psst, prices start at just $13, so you’ll have room in the budget to mix and match.

Wrinkle-Free Clothes for Summer Travel — From $13

1. Our Favorite: Beach days, fancy dinners and city exploring can all be done while wearing this gorgeous swing dress. The polyester and viscose blend works in tandem with the fun floral pattern to prevent wrinkles from ever showing their face.

2. Runner-Up: We love the summer-esque eyelet details on this knee-length dress. Not only does it give an otherwise simple frock an elevated appearance, but the pattern also hides away creases post-packing.

3. Everyday Essential: This hollow-out tunic top is another great travel essential. The design itself has a cool bohemian appearance, thanks to the intricate stitching and knit exterior that won’t ever look crushed.

4. Mix and Match: Pair this Lands’ End sleeveless top with jeans or trousers, and you’re ready to head out the door. Despite the white hue, this ‘no-iron’ top promises to look just as crisp from your luggage as it does from your closet. Psst, the magic is in the Supima cotton makeup!

5. Problem Solver: Looking at this Madewell tank top might make you think of your childhood when smocked details were all the rage. Well, the style is back now, and so perfect for weekend trips. The stretchy gatherings purposefully have creases while lining the entire top. It’ll have you asking, ‘What wrinkles?’

Related: 17 Resort-Ready Staples From Amazon That Are *Actually* Worth It

You’ve booked the trip, blocked the calendar and now you’re staring at a closet full of clothes that feel wrong for poolside lunches and sunset dinners. The pieces from a few seasons back don’t quite fit the vibe, but you’re not about to drop a paycheck on a vacation wardrobe you’ll wear for one week. […]

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6. Year-Round Staple: At Us Weekly, we simply love a good Spanx bodysuit, so it should come as no surprise that we’re packing this one in our luggage. The stretchy, sculpting design smooths you out while also looking totally snatched when paired with shorts, trousers, maxi skirts and the like.

7. Productive Era: Anyone looking for a wrinkle-free dress shirt needs to check out this top from Banana Republic. It looks just like a classic button-up shirt, but is made with sleek-appearing materials like cotton and nylon to look positively polished, sans an iron touch-up.

8. Summer Staple: This everyday Athleta jumpsuit will quickly become your new favorite summer essential. Not only does it give you a whole outfit in one go, but the wrinkle-resistant pick also comes with a fabric belt that cinches at the waist for a super flattering look.

9. Anything But Basic: If you’re not into jumpsuits, but still want in on the cool-girl style, opt for the Brooklyn ankle pants. They basically feel like pajamas due to the light-as-air feel, stretchy waistband and relaxed fit.

10. Expensive-Looking: There’s nothing worse than traveling for a destination wedding and realizing that your gown is suddenly riddled with wrinkles. This maxi dress from Petal & Pup is the solution. The simple pleating gives the wedding guest dress a rich appearance while secretly hiding creases. Plus, it comes in so many beautiful colors, like this elegant olive shade.

11. Versatile Find: Whether you’re dressing for the office with a blazer or drinks with a skirt, this strapless top is what jetsetting dreams are made of. The top thwarts crumples like a pro and shape shifts for every event on your summer calendar.

12. Editor-Loved: The Sloane Wide-Leg Pants are a must for work days or out-of-state conferences. The wrinkle-resisting Curve Love pants are a favorite for curvy girls because they accommodate the booty while removing excessive fabric in the back. Read: No waist gap!

13. Last But Not Least: Don’t forget about activewear dresses! You might wear them out and about at home, however, they come in handy while traveling, too. This Abercrombie one in particular features stretchy fabric, bodice ruching and a checkered pattern that magically makes any sort of crinkle disappear.

Taylor Frankie Paul is focused on moving forward after she and ex Dakota Mortensen were granted mutual protective orders for three years following domestic violence accusations against each other.

“Keep going even when losing [clap emoji] Every component of this was beautiful,” Paul, 31, captioned a video via Instagram Stories on Monday, May 4, showing a jockey overcome with emotion after their racehorse won.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star shared more words of affirmation in a follow-up post, which featured a drawing from a self-taught artist alongside a bible verse. “Isaiah 41:10 ‘So do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,’” the quote read.

“I’ll be framing this. So talented. Thank you,” Paul added. “I wanted to cry earlier when I saw this on TikTok 🙏🏼 thank you,” Paul also replied in the comments section.

Paul took to social media days after protective orders were approved for her and Mortensen, 33, during a court hearing on April 30 to determine custody arrangements for the exes’ 2-year-old son, Ever. (The orders were filed after TMZ released a video from a heated 2023 dispute that showed Paul throwing a chair at Mortensen during a heated dispute. ABC later pulled her season of The Bachelorette ahead of its premiere.)

Looking ahead, the court is now “requiring that Taylor’s ex-partner stay far away from her,” a change that Paul’s attorney, Eric M. Swinyard, described as “a significant step forward” in a statement to Us Weekly.

Related: What to Know About Taylor Frankie Paul and Ex Dakota‘s Custody Battle

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen have tried to coparent son Ever since their fall 2024 split. Paul and Mortensen welcomed their first baby together, the MomTok content creator’s third, in March 2024, months before they called it quits. As Paul and Mortensen navigated jointly raising their son, […]

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Swinyard noted that “Taylor was incredibly candid with the court that she is not perfect and owned her faults, which is in direct contrast to how the other party presented their argument, despite evidence and input from law enforcement that showed otherwise.”

Paul’s attorney continued, “Taylor feels solidarity with the many survivors who have endured similar hardships behind closed doors and shared only part of their stories.”

During the hearing, the commissioner described the former couple’s relationship as “dysfunctional” and told them they have to “figure out a lot here,” including “how to function as coparents” in order to “shield the child from this conflict.”

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Related: Taylor Frankie Paul Addresses Hugging Dakota Mortensen’s Mom in Court

Taylor Frankie Paul is explaining why she was seen in an embrace with Dakota Mortensen’s mom during the former couple’s custody and protective order hearing. After a fan Instagram account shared video footage of Taylor hugging Cheyenne Cranford Mortensen inside Salt Lake City’s Third District Courthouse on Thursday, April 30, Taylor provided context via the […]

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This development came after Mortensen was granted temporary custody of Ever in March. There were no changes made to the custody arrangement on April 30, which means Paul will continue to be permitted up to eight hours of supervised visitation with their son.

Mortensen filed for his temporary protective order against Paul in March amid two police investigations into domestic violence allegations involving the exes.

The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office announced in April that it will not file charges against Paul. Last month, she was also granted her own temporary protective order.

Social media users are goin’ IN after Claressa Shields shared AI-generated photos of her at the Met Gala.

RELATED: Social Media Users Are Mentioning Remy Ma After Claressa Shields Flexed That She Secured Her “Dream Car” (PHOTOS)

Claressa Shields Shared AI-Generated Photos Of Her At The Met Gala

On Monday, May 4, Claressa Shields took to Instagram to share a carousel featuring AI-generated photos. Furthermore, she captioned the photo, “Oh Nothing Just Manifesting my MetGala Look ✨😮‍💨🏆 Which one Y’all Feeling the Most?”

Furthermore, the first photo showed her AI-self rocking a black and gold ensemble, while the second photo showed her AI-self rocking a second version of the look.

Check it out below.

Social Media Users Are Goin’ IN

Social media users entered TSR’s comment section, goin’ IN on Claressa Shields for sharing the AI-generated photos.

Before Claressa Shields Shared AI-Generated Photos Of Her At The Met Gala, She In Another Photo

As The Shade Room previously reported, Claressa Shields recently made headlines with another generated photo. Last week, a photo went viral showing her and a throwback version of Monica. In the flick, both of them were wearing head-turning white sandals.

RELATED: Style Twins? Monica Responds After AI Photo Compares Her & Claressa Shields’ White Shoe Game

Days of Our Lives prepares for Lexie Carver‘s (Renée Jones) comeback, and the time is almost here. Official Days spoilers said that she was going to wake up. That was in early April, but that was actually a big old fib because she only woke up in Theo Carver‘s (Tyler Joseph Andrews) daydream.

But soon, Lexie should wake up for real. And I’m wondering if Dr. Wilhelm Rolf’s (Richard Wharton) miracle serum brings Lexie fully back to life just in time for the DiMera family gathering to hear Stefano DiMera’s (Joseph Mascolo) will read.

EJ Banking on Dr. Rolf’s Miracle Serum on Days of Our Lives

I mean, I think we can all agree it has been way too long waiting for Lexie to wake up. Her brother EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) adores Lexie and he’s banking on Dr. Rolf’s mad science wizardry to bring his dead sister back to life. And with May sweeps in full swing and the reading of Stefano’s will hopefully kicking off this Friday, but carrying over into the following week, this is the perfect time for Lexie to join Theo and Abe Carver (James Reynolds) in the land of the living once again.

Since late last fall, EJ and Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) have been secretly investing in Dr. Rolf’s medical technology that blended his resurrection serum with the miracle drug Versix. That’s the same drug that brought a comatose Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) back from the brink of death from sepsis.

So, we also know that one of Stefano’s final wishes was to save his daughter Lexie from the inoperable cancerous brain tumor that took her life. So, it looks like Rolf had Lexie stashed in a person pod all these years until medical advancements caught up to make her resurrection possible.

Paulina Threatened by EJ on DOOL

And EJ first showed nosy mayor Paulina Price (Jackee Harry) that he had Lexie in the person pod. EJ’s reveal came with threats about what he would tell her husband, Abe. Now, this was when Paulina was poking into the secret lab and trying to threaten EJ because Paulina wanted to know why the lab and the free clinic were using such an excessive amount of electricity.

It caused a blackout last Autumn. And of course, EJ had ulterior motives by showing Paulina that Theo’s mom, Lexie, had been pulled from the jaws of death. For one thing, EJ knows that Paulina wouldn’t play God and pull the plug on Lexie by shutting down all the power in the lab. And EJ’s move worked. Paulina had to back off about the power pole.

Lexie Moved Before Police Could Find Her on Days

And at that point, Lexie was still touch-and-go when EJ showed Paulina what he had done. And he was pretty honest about it, I think. Unfortunately, Dr. Rolf’s creepy night watchman, Owen Kent (Wes Ramsey), kidnapped Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) and Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark) and kept them in the storage closet behind the lab. That shifted everything because it forced EJ to have Rolf move Lexie before someone discovered her. Now EJ and Rolf are monitoring her and Theo’s visiting often, just waiting for Lexie’s brain activity to increase to the point that she wakes up from her long sleep on Days of our Lives.

And EJ was planning to reintroduce his sister Lexie to Salem when the time was right, but it may be out of EJ’s hands. So, right now, Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) and Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) and the cops and several others know about the person pod, but they can only make guesses about who was in it. And right now, they’re thinking Abigail Deveraux (Marci Miller).

And that’s because Rolf had already moved Lexie from the room when the police got in there to poke around everything. So, she’s down underneath the DiMera mansion where Rolf has equipped the room with all the necessary medical devices and supplies. That’s where EJ brought Theo and showed him his mom was alive again and being healed by Rolf’s medicine.

Days of our Lives: EJ Plotting with Abe

Not only did EJ want Theo to see that Lexie was coming back, but EJ also wanted Theo to be solely focused on Lexie so that he would step down as CEO of DiMera, which would let Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) keep the position.

Now neither Theo nor Johnny knows that their dads Abe and EJ were conspiring to ensure this transfer of power. But Theo knows that his mom would not want him working for his no good Stefano’s family empire. So Theo did what EJ nudged him to do and he walked away.

Lexie Showing Signs of Life on DOOL

And now that Lexie is on the verge of waking up, Theo is spending as much time as he can holding her hand, sitting at her bedside. And Lexie is showing more signs of life little by little. Recently, she reached out for Theo’s hand, but Rolf hasn’t found many other promising signs that Lexie’s coming out of her deep sleep just yet.

No other signs of consciousness. However, Lexie’s status could change at any moment. And this week, Theo is having mixed feelings about Lexie’s resurrection. You know, Theo hasn’t told his dad Abe yet. I think Theo wants to make sure Lexie will survive before he gets Abe’s hopes up.

And this has been weighing really heavily on Theo. It’s a big burden to carry and he really can’t tell anybody. So, he knows if and when Lexie recovers and wakes, it will affect him and Abe and Paulina and her daughters and a lot of other people.

Now, ultimately, Theo knows that when Lexie wakes up, she’s going to want her life back with her husband Abe. And not only is Theo thinking about what will happen when Lexie wakes, but he’s also stressed out about being named the executor of Stefano’s will out of the blue.

The DiMera Family Gathers for Will Reading

So, the family is going to gather the end of this week at the mansion as arranged by EJ’s assistant, Cat Green (AnnaLynne McCord). And of course, EJ was just as thundered as Theo. That codicil swap that moved EJ out and Theo in as the executor of Stefano’s will surprised them both.

And by Friday and then carrying over into next week, we’re going to have Theo overseeing the gathering with Cat likely on hand. Abe’s going to be there to represent Lexie’s interest. Anna and Tony are back in Salem this week. Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) is going to be there, too, along with Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) and of course EJ.

And that means Lexie is probably going to be left unattended during this gathering when everybody shows up to find out about Stefano’s wicked last wishes in his will. I also expect Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) may crash and claim that she is Stefan’s widow, not his ex-wife, because the divorce papers were forged by Vivian Alamain. But I think the biggest surprise at the will reading would be a second crasher if Lexie Carver crashes the will reading.

Lexie Could Crash The Will Reading on Days of Our Lives

I do think that while this is going on, we could see Rolf taking a break or napping and that could be when Lexie wakes up on her own alone in the room and she wanders upstairs to where the DiMeras are all congregated in the living room.

You know, Theo may be reading the contents of the will and then his jaw drops because his mom Lexie walks out of the secret doorway into the living room coming up out of the DiMera tunnels.

That would be something that would stun the whole family, plus Abe and Theo and the fans. You know, Lexie was always a fierce mama bear when it came to her son Theo. So, I think it would be the most dramatic time for Lexie to make her first appearance, fully awake and back from the tragically dead right as Theo is standing there reading Stefano’s will.

I think that would be the soapiest outcome and the most May sweeps thing that the writers could do. Plus, I think Theo and EJ and the fans have all been very patient and we’ve all waited long enough for Lexie to come back. So, I really hope she walks right into that will reading and stuns everybody.

This Southern Gothic by Marc Forster focuses on the Grotowski family, who are crippled by their inherited racism. It’s almost too perfect that Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in Monster’s Ball. Up until the film’s release in 2001, a Black woman had never won the Oscar for Best Actress. In her acceptance speech, Berry proclaimed through tears, “This moment is so much bigger than me… Because this door, tonight, has been opened.” As emotional and heartfelt as that message was Halle Berry is still the only Black woman to win the prestigious award. In rewatching this film, audiences need to realize that the subject matter is just as relevant now as it was back then.

Forster’s drama follows a family of corrections officers, including Sonny Grotowski (Heath Ledger) and his father, Hank Grotowski (Billy Bob Thornton), who ends up falling in love with a woman of color, Leticia Musgrove (Halle Berry). In addition to the heavy-hitting lead actors, the cast also includes Peter Boyle and Mos Def. The movie addresses themes of depression, loss, and grief while also tackling the all-too-common issue of racism in America. The two-time Oscar-nominated slow burn is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and the content is just as important, if not more, in 2026.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Role Hits Differently Today

This is a dark movie all around. But audiences can find solace early on in the film when death row inmate, Lawrence Musgrove (Sean Combs) is scheduled to be executed by electrocution at the Georgia State Penitentiary. Knowing what audiences know now, the scene carries a different weight than it did upon release—and, in some ways, makes the film more palatable. It’s clear that Lawrence did some bad things, and he must suffer the consequences. Leticia had virtually moved on from their marriage, even before his execution, so the scene is just icing on the cake.

Billy Bob Thornton’s Character Confronts His Past

Image via Lionsgate

Racism runs rampant in Hank’s household as his decaying father, Buck (Peter Boyle), loves using the n-word more than he loves his own family members. Thankfully, the youngest Grotowski, Sonny, chose a different path. Perhaps the only similarities between Hank and Sonny are their occupation and their preference for prostitutes, but that’s about it. So when Sonny finally decides to take his own life, Hank is left to his own devices. He must decide whether he wants to drown in the person he’s become or put in the hard work and move forward. That pivotal moment comes about halfway through the story, when he approaches Leticia and her son, Tyrell (Coronji Calhoun), sitting on the side of the road, in the middle of the pouring rain. Tyrell has been badly injured, so Hank makes the perfect decision to help. No good deed goes unpunished, however, as Tyrell passes away at the hospital. Both lead characters have now tragically lost their sons. But as downtrodden as their individual situations may seem, the two begin to bond over their near-identical traumas and start healing together.

Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton Elevate an Already Brilliant Screenplay

In addition to Halle Berry’s Best Actress win, the film also garnered a Best Original Screenplay nomination. As great actors often do, Berry and Thornton took a beautiful script written by the duo of Milo Addica and Will Rokos, and they breathe life into it. Their performances reflect another key message in the story, which is that no relationship is ever going to be perfect. These characters have to decide whether they’re willing to work through their issues, and that’s not always an easy decision to make.

Leticia and Hank have dealt with racism, depression, tragedy, lies, secrets, and it’s hard to tell if they will make it to their happy ending. But there’s no doubt that both characters have suffered enough and ultimately deserve their happiness.

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Release Date

June 7, 2001

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Runtime

113 minutes

Director

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Marc Forster

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 22 seconds ago

What do you think the most important episode of Star Trek is? Some fans might say “The Man Trap” because it was the first episode ever aired, creating TV’s longest-lasting sci-fi franchise. Others might be tempted to name episodes like “The Inner Light” and “The Visitor” because they confront us with our own morality. Still other fans might name episodes like “Far Beyond the Stars” for using sci-fi as a vehicle to explore the more problematic aspects and social injustices of American history.

Arguably, though, the most important adventure in the franchise is the largely forgotten Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “The Price.” Now, if you do remember this episode, you probably remember it for that thirst trap scene where Dr. Crusher and Counselor Troi are exercising in their space spandex. While that scene had the fandom giving new meaning to the term “space seed,” It’s not what’s most important about “The Price.” You see, this episode singlehandedly sets up the premises for both Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager!

Paying “The Price”

What’s “The Price” about? In this episode, the Enterprise crew must negotiate with some exotic aliens for the rights to use a newly-discovered stable wormhole. Ships can fly through the wormhole in the Alpha Quadrant and, conveniently enough, end up in the far-flung Gamma Quadrant. The crew checks the wormhole and discovers that while the entrance is stable, the exit isn’t; it periodically moves, having gone from the Gamma Quadrant to the Delta Quadrant. Unfortunately, two Ferengi who went through the wormhole ignore the Enterprise crew’s warning about the unstable exit and get trapped in the Delta Quadrant once the wormhole moves yet again.

What makes “The Price” so special to Star Trek history? For one thing, this is the first episode to break the galaxy into four quadrants: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. Before that, it was hard to understand the geography of this franchise’s sprawling cosmos. This made it difficult to know where, say, the center of the galaxy is supposed to be located. That might not sound like much of an issue, but you might be surprised at the sheer number of times various shows and movies make reference to that mysterious area of space.

Wormhole Shenanigans Are In Full Swing

More importantly, “The Price” laid the groundwork for the next two major Star Trek spinoffs after The Next Generation. Before the Enterprise crew realizes it’s a dud, the main selling point of the wormhole in this episode is that it provides a stable passage from the Alpha Quadrant to the Gamma Quadrant. Later, the discovery of an actual stable wormhole from Bajor to the Gamma Quadrant becomes the inciting incident for Deep Space Nine. Once everyone finds out about the wormhole, this broken-down space station suddenly becomes one of the most important places in the entire galaxy.

Weirdly enough, a minor plot in “The Price” also sets up the premise for Star Trek: Voyager. When those two scheming Ferengi ignore the warnings from the Enterprise crew, they end up stuck in the Delta Quadrant, with no easy way home. In Voyager, this is exactly what happens to Captain Janeway and the Maquis she is chasing. They are sent to the Delta Quadrant and must make their way home without the support of Starfleet. Eventually, Voyager did an homage to “The Price” with “False Profits,” which had the crew run into the same two bumbling Ferengi who got stuck on the other side of the galaxy after the wormhole moved. 

“The Price” is a very solid episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation for many reasons, including the fact that it gives Marina Sirtis plenty to do while she looks drop-dead gorgeous. But for fans of Deep Space Nine and Voyager, this is possibly the most important episode in the entire franchise. Without it, those fan-favorite spinoffs might have never been made. Because of this, you might say that the entire Golden Age of Star Trek owes itself to this humble TNG episode!